Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2-2025
Publisher
Springer
Source Publication
Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities
Source ISSN
2197-3792
Original Item ID
DOI: 10.1007/s40615-023-01849-2
Abstract
Background
Latina mothers have been especially affected by the pandemic and historically exhibit high rates of depression and anxiety. However, few longitudinal studies have assessed the effect of the pandemic on this vulnerable population. We hypothesized that COVID-19-related stressors would associate with psychological distress among Latina mothers across the first year of the pandemic.
Methods
We investigated COVID-19-related impact, stigma, and fears across two critical time points and changes in these measures in relation to changes in maternal anxiety and depression among mothers of Mexican descent living in Southern California (n=152). Surveys were administered within 5–16 weeks of the March 19, 2020 stay-at-home COVID-19 order in California and again between June to December 2021.
Results
High proportions of women reported moderate to severe impacts of COVID-19 early in the pandemic, which reduced modestly a year later, e.g., reduced family incomes (55.9% 2020 Lockdown vs 32.7% 1-year follow-up). Anticipatory stigma was high across the first year, e.g., worrying at least some of the time that a family member will be deported (33.1% 2020 Lockdown vs. 14.1% 1-year follow-up), or they would not be able to care for their children (88.5% 2020 lockdown vs 82.2% 1-year follow-up). COVID-19 stigma, impact, and fears were significantly associated with higher levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms at both time points (p< 0.003), and changes in COVID-19 impact were associated with changes in depression (p=0.0004).
Conclusion
Findings emphasize the adverse socioeconomic and psychological effects of the pandemic for Latina mothers.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Non, Amy L.; Clausing, Elizabeth S.; Lara-Cinisomo, Sandraluz; and D'Anna-Hernandez, Kimberly, "COVID-19-Related Risk, Resilience, and Mental Health Among Mexican American Mothers Across the First Year of the Pandemic" (2025). Psychology Faculty Research and Publications. 633.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/psych_fac/633
Comments
Published version. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, Vol. 12, No. 1 (February 2025): 49-58. DOI. © 2023 Springer. Used with permission.
Open Access